Methods and systems for enabling communications between devices

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems for selecting and delivering content are provided. More particularly, content can be delivered to an output device from a user device through a device adaptor, such as an over-the-top (OTT) device. The OTT device or devices available to the user device are determined by a communication server. In particular, the OTT device or devices available to the user device are limited to those OTT devices associated with an output device in the user&#39;s room, or that the user is otherwise authorized to access.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/828,660, filed Mar. 24, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/282,556, filed Sep. 20, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,631,042, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/235,112, filed Sep. 30, 2015, U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/245,146, filed Oct. 22, 2015, and U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/308,442, filed Mar. 15, 2016,the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

FIELD

Systems and methods for delivering content to an output device areprovided.

BACKGROUND

Increasingly, video entertainment, such as movies and television shows,is delivered to users on demand over digital networks. In addition, thedistribution of content has expanded to include user devices, such assmart phones. These user devices have the ability to interface withcontent delivery systems and to output video and other content to users.User devices are also increasingly used as a store of credentials.However, because of the need for mobility, the output capabilities ofuser devices are necessarily limited. Therefore, it is desirable todirect content streams associated with a user device to televisions orhome theater systems.

Systems and methods currently available include those that involveestablishing a dedicated connection between a user device and an outputdevice. These can be through wireline or wireless connections. However,such dedicated connections can be limited by controls put in place bydigital rights management systems. Also, such arrangements rely on theuser device's connection to the content provider. Accordingly, bandwidthlimitations and high usage costs are significant limitations. Inaddition, where multiple output devices are potentially available in thevicinity of the user device, selecting and using an appropriate outputdevice can become problematic, particularly in a hotel or otherhospitality or Multiple Dwelling Unit setting.

In many hospitality settings, device isolation, which prevents userdevices from discovering other devices, is a requirement. In particular,Wi-Fi clients are restricted from seeing other Wi-Fi devices. Therequirement of device isolation thus conflicts with the desire to allowa user device to discover and make use of other Wi-Fi devices in thevicinity of the user device. In addition, previous systems have lacked away to connect devices on different sub-networks or nodes.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems andmethods for delivering content to an output device selected from aconstrained or controlled set of output devices. In accordance withembodiments of the current disclosure, an exemplary system includes acommunication server that operates as a proxy device. The communicationserver can provide functions that enable a user device to operablyconnect to a communication system. After a connection is established,the user can operate the user device to control an output device, senddata, including, but not limited to data streams to the output device,or to perform other functions. Alternatively or in addition, thecommunication server can present a constrained set of output devices orassociated over-the-top (OTT) devices to the user device that the usercan make a selection from to operably connect to an output device. Theconstrained set of output devices can include one or more outputdevices, and can be those output devices associated with a user's room.The communication server can further provide at least one virtualclient. The virtual client allows a selected output device to receivecontent from or on behalf of the user device. Embodiments of the presentdisclosure also control the output devices that are indicated as beingavailable to the user device. Where content is received by the virtualclient on behalf of the user device, that content can be delivered fromthe virtual client to the output device, without passing through theuser device. In addition, the user device can remain operable withrespect to command and control operations involving the content.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, thecommunication server can provide multiple virtual clients that can eachbe assigned to a different user device. The communication server can beconnected to one or more user devices via a first network. For aparticular user device or client, the assigned virtual client canoperate to receive content from a source of content, such as a contentprovider, connected to the virtual client. Moreover, the virtual clientcan be connected to the source of content by a second network. Inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, multiple userdevices on a first network or sub-network can each be operativelyconnected to an assigned virtual client instance and to an assignedoutput device. As an example, but without limitation, the first networkcan include a wireless network provided as part of a local area networkand the second network can include the Internet and/or an intranet.

Connections between virtual clients and output devices can beestablished over a content distribution network. In addition, the proxydevice can handle digital rights management (DRM) for received contentand route that content to an appropriate output device. The term DRMBridge is used herein to denote the function of receiving content in afirst security domain and translating the content rights to a newsecurity domain corresponding to the output device chosen. Thistransformation may include one or more of the following: reformattingmetadata and rights, re-encrypting content entitlements, re-scramblingthe compressed content stream, decoding and re-encoding the contentstream to change formats.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure,the proxy device can comprise a communication server that is associatedwith a local content distribution network, a cloud-based serverconnected to the local content distribution network via the Internet, aserver located at a hospitality facility, or an in-room device.Moreover, the local content distribution network can include a contentdistribution device, such as an edge quadrature amplitude modulation(QAM) modulator that can be interconnected to a plurality of outputdevices, a set-top box, smart TV, an interface device associated with asingle TV, or some other device associated with a single output device.The local content distribution network can also include one or more ofan Ethernet network, a coaxial distribution network, an optical fibernetwork, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi network, and/or a high definitionmultimedia interface (HDMI) connection.

Methods in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure includesupplying a communication server or proxy device operable to provide aplurality of virtual devices or virtual player sessions. Each of thevirtual devices can be assigned to a user device on an ad hoc basis. Inaddition, a virtual device can be associated with a source of contentbased on credentials provided by the user device. For example, during aseek or initialization operation, a client or user device can discoveran available output device and/or virtual device. In response to a usercommand, one of the available output devices and/or virtual devices canbe associated with the user device. Where multiple output devices and/orvirtual devices are available on one network, the output devices and/orvirtual devices available for selection by a user of a particular userdevice can be limited according to various constraints. For example, ina hospitality setting, only those output devices within the room of theuser are available for selection by the user. In addition, afterassociation of a user device with a virtual device and an output device,command and control input can still be operatively received by that userdevice. For instance, in response to command and control input from auser entered at the user device, the delivery of content to and theoutput of that content from an output device can be controlled.

Additional advantages and features of embodiments of the presentdisclosure will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription, particularly when considered together with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a system for selecting and delivering content inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts a process for selecting and delivering content using asystem as depicted in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 depicts a system for selecting and delivering content inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a process for selecting and delivering content using asystem as depicted in FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 depicts a system for selecting and delivering content inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a process for selecting and delivering content using asystem as depicted in FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 depicts a system for selecting and delivering content inaccordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a process for selecting and delivering content using asystem as depicted in FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 depicts aspects of a communication server in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts aspects of a device adaptor in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a scenario in which a user device is presented with aset of available output devices;

FIG. 12 depicts a scenario in which a user device is presented with anoutput device in the same room as an available output device;

FIG. 13 depicts a scenario in which a connection to an output device isenabled through an over-the-top device located in a remote data center;

FIG. 14 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19A depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 19B depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure for selecting and delivering content 100 and inparticular a system 100 a that enables a user device 104 to beselectively connected to an output device 120. In general, the system100 a includes one or more user devices 104, a first network 108, acommunication server or network controller server 112, a second network116, a third or facility infrastructure network 118, such as on-sitecontent distribution network, and one or more output devices 120.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure,a user device 104 may comprise a mobile device. Examples of user devices104 include, but are not limited to, smart phones, tablets, laptops, orany other devices that are capable of supporting the presentation ofcredentials to and communications with one or more content providers 124or other entities or nodes on a network. A user device 104 mayadditionally be capable of supporting the selection of content availablefrom a content provider 124. For example, the user device 104 may accesscontent using a web browser, through execution of a content provider app106, and/or the receipt of user input. Accordingly, a user device 104can include memory to store application programming, user data andcredentials, and other information, a processor for executing theapplication programming, a user input, a user output, and acommunication interface for supporting the delivery and receipt of dataand instructions to and from a network or networks, such as the firstnetwork 108. Typically, but not necessarily, a user device 104 isassociated with a particular person.

The content provider app 106 or other application that can be operatedto access content may comprise an application, Internet browser plug-in,or other programming that enables or facilitates obtaining content froma content provider 124. In a typical implementation, a content providerapp 106 may be operative only with a particular content provider 124. Inaddition to providing a user interface, the content provider app 106 maystore credentials needed to access content from the associated contentprovider 124. Multiple content provider apps 106 may be associated witha single user device 104.

The first network 108 may comprise a local area network or a wide areanetwork. The first network 108 may further comprise a relatively lowbandwidth or low speed network. An example of a local area network is anetwork associated with a hotel or other hospitality facility and caninclude a Wi-Fi network, a wired Ethernet network, or any other networktechnology. In general, the first network 108 is operable to supportcommunications between at least a user device 104 and the communicationserver 112. The first network 108 can also be operable to supportcommunications between a user device 104 and a content provider 124, forexample via the Internet 114. In accordance with at least someembodiments of the present invention, the first network 108 includes oneor more access points 109 and other network devices 110, including, butnot limited to, network media, switches, routers, and/or firewalls.

The communication server 112 may comprise a communications serverlocated at or in the vicinity of the site at which a user device 104 andan output device 120 are located. Moreover, the communication server 112can be directly connected to the first network 108 and the on-sitecontent distribution network 118. Alternatively, the communicationserver 112 may be placed at a location that is remote from the userdevice 104 and the output device 120. In the system 100 a illustrated inFIG. 1 , the communication server 112 is an on-site server. Inaccordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure, thecommunication server 112 can include a user device server application126. The user device server application 126 can respond to requests forpairing codes and/or otherwise authorize a user device 104 to accesscommunication server 112 services. In accordance with other embodiments,the user device server application 126 functions may be implemented byanother network node (e.g., another system server) or its function canbe implemented across a number of different network nodes. In at leastsome embodiments, the user device server application 126 may establishpairing relationships between a user device 104 and an output device120.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, thecommunication server 112 provides session and network manager 128services. The functions of the session and network manager 128 caninclude responding to requests from a user device 104 to pair with anoutput device 120 in connection with the delivery of content. In otherembodiments, the session and network manager 128 can register the userdevice 104 with the communication server 112, the local contentdistribution network 118, and/or a specific output device 120.Accordingly, the session and network manager 128 can create and managelists of user devices 104 that are paired or otherwise registered withthe system 100, output devices 120 included on or as part of afacility's premises, the visibility of output devices 120 to the userdevices 104, and active connections between user devices 104 and outputdevices 120. Alternatively, registration may be performed by anadministrative server that is separate from the communication server112. The session and network manager services 128 can also implement avirtual discovery and launch (DIAL) server, can route network traffic onbehalf of a user device 104 from a content provider 124 to an outputdevice 120, can route control inputs entered at a user device 104 to avirtual player 132, and can route selection and control inputs enteredat a user device 104 to a content provider 124, as described in furtherdetail elsewhere herein. The DIAL protocol can facilitate an operableconnection between a mobile device and an output device. However, theDIAL protocol has been limited to connections between devices on thesame sub-network. In addition, implementations of the DIAL protocol haverouted content from the user device 104 to the output device 120. As canbe appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of thepresent disclosure, embodiments of the present disclosure allow devicesor nodes, such as user devices 104 and output devices 120, on differentnetworks and/or sub-networks to be operatively connected to one anotherand also allow content to be routed from a content provider 124 to anoutput device 120 in response to a request made through a user device104 and/or in response to the receipt of credentials held by orassociated with a user device 104. In accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure, content from a content provider 124 ordered througha user device 104 can be delivered to an output device 120, withoutrequiring that the content pass through the user device 104.

The communication server 112 can also provide a plurality of virtualplayer sessions 132, with one virtual player session 132 instanceallocated for each connected user device 104. An allocated virtualplayer session 132 allows content from a content provider 124 obtainedusing credentials associated with a user and/or a user device 104 to bedelivered to the communication server 112 over the second network 116.The content is then passed from the communication server 112 to thepaired or selected output device 120 using the on-site distributionnetwork 118. Accordingly, the communication server 112 implements aproxy function on behalf of the user device 104. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1 , with the communication server 112 on thepremises of, for example, a hotel or other hospitality facility, thecommunication server 112 also can include a plurality of digital rightsmanagement (DRM) bridges and/or encoders 136, with one DRM bridge and/orencoder 136 instance allocated for each virtual player session 132. Ascan be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of thepresent disclosure, a DRM bridge translates entitlement rights from oneDRM entitlement domain to another. An encoder can, for example,transform the bitrate, resolution, or encoded format of the streamingmedia. An internal network interface 140 routes content from the DRMbridges and/or encoders 136 to the output devices 120 via the on-sitecontent distribution network 118. More particularly, a DRM bridge and/orencoder 136 (e.g., DRM bridge and/or encoder 136 a) allocated to aparticular user device 104 (e.g., user device 1 104 a) can route contentobtained from a content provider 124 (e.g., content provider 1 124 a) toan output device 120 (e.g., output device 120 a) to which the userdevice 104 has been paired.

The second network 116 can comprise a high bandwidth connection betweenthe communication server 112 and one or more content providers 124.Accordingly, the system 100 a topology facilitates the delivery ofcontent to output devices 120 by providing a relatively high bandwidthchannel over which content can be delivered from a content provider 124to a virtual player session 132 that is associated with the on-sitecontent distribution network 118. Moreover, the proxy function of thecommunication server 112 allows that content to be sent to the outputdevice 120 without requiring that the content pass through the firstnetwork 108, which is typically a relatively low bandwidth network.

The on-site content distribution network 118 can include, for example,but without limitation, an on-premises network. As examples, the on-sitecontent distribution network 118 can comprise a first network section144 that supports a DTCP-IP, Pro:Idiom encrypted MPEG-4, NDS, Widevine,or any other current or future video transmission and/or digital rightsmanagement (DRM) protocol to deliver content from a virtual playersession 132 to an output device 120, either directly or through anintermediate device, such as an edge quadrature amplitude modulation(QAM) modulator 148, an over-the-top (OTT) device 162, or a set-top box161 (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 7 ). Examples of OTT devices 162 include, butare not limited to, a CHROMECAST stick, a ROKU box, an APPLE TV box, asmart TV that provides OTT functionality, or the like. The on-sitecontent distribution network 118 can further include, for example, aradio frequency (RF) or Internet Protocol (IP) section. Where, as in theexample of the system 100 a illustrated in FIG. 1 , the communicationsserver 112 is an “on-premises” server, the QAM modulators 148 can beintegrated with and/or can be in close physical proximity to thecommunication server 112. Alternatively, the QAM modulators 148 can beimplemented as one or more stand-alone devices.

The content provider 124 may comprise, for example, an online service.The content available from a content provider 124 can include, but isnot limited to, movies, television shows, video, audio, or othercontent. Moreover, such content can be accessed from the contentprovider on an on-demand basis. In a typical implementation, content inthe form of video can be streamed from the content provider 124 to areceiving device. The content provider 124 may provide a portal that isadapted to interface with a content provider app 106 running on a userdevice 104 and connected to the content provider 124 via the Internet114, and can be implemented by, for example, a web server and associatedprogramming.

With reference now to FIG. 2 , aspects of the operation of a system forselecting and delivering content 100 a are depicted. Initially, at step204, a user device 104 joins the first network 108. In accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network 108may comprise a hotel Wi-Fi network, in which case joining the firstnetwork 108 can include establishing a connection to a network accesspoint 109 and providing credentials or authorization, such as a username and password. Next, at step 208, the user can pair the user device104 to an output device 120 using a pairing process.

In general, pairing involves establishing a relationship between aparticular user device 104 and a particular output device or set ofoutput devices 120. Alternatively or in addition, pairing can includeregistering the user device 104 with the communication server 112, withor without associating the user device 104 with a particular outputdevice 120. Pairing can be accomplished using any of various techniques.For instance, the user of a user device 104 can operate a browser or aspecially provided app 107 on the user device 104 that places the userdevice 104 in communication with the communication server 112. The usercan then provide identifying information, a pairing code, credentials,authentication information, or other information to the communicationserver 112 to validate or support the requested pairing relationship.Examples of techniques that can be used to accomplish pairing aredisclosed in U.S. patent application publication number 2012/0324076 andU.S. patent application publication number 2012/0322384, the entiredisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety. In accordance with further embodiments, pairing or registeringthe user device 104 with the communication server 112 can be performedwhen a user checks in as a guest of a hospitality facility, or when auser establishes a connection through a guest Internet access portal. Atstep 212, the IP address of the user device 104 is passed to the sessionand network manager 128 as part of the pairing process. Thus, inaccordance with the least some embodiments of the present disclosure, auser device 104 is effectively registered with the communication server112 as part of the pairing process.

In response to registering the user device 104 to the communicationserver 112, the session and network manager 128 running on thecommunication server 112 and implementing a DIAL server function startsbroadcasting a DIAL server response to the user device 104 IP address(step 216). Therefore, in accordance with at least some embodiments ofthe present disclosure, the communication server 112, and in particularthe session and network manager 128, directs the DIAL server response tothe paired user device 104 IP address. The user of the user device 104can then launch a content provider application or app 106 on the userdevice 104, which broadcasts a DIAL query (step 220). Examples of acontent provider app 106 include, but are not limited to, Hulu Plus,YouTube, and Netflix apps. The content provider app 106 sees thebroadcasting DIAL server response and presents the user with an optionto display content on an output device 120 identified by the DIAL serverresponse, such as an in-room television (step 224). The user can thenmake a selection of a particular output device 120. Alternatively, anoutput device 120 may be selected automatically or as a result of aprevious action, such as the completion of a pairing process withrespect to a specific output device 120.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the DIALserver response is directed to the IP address of the user device 104that sent the DIAL query, rather than being broadcast to, for example,all of the user devices 104 connected to the first network 108. Forexample, communication server 112 may direct to the response to aspecific user device 104 using the MAC address, IP address, or otheridentifier of the user device 104. Moreover, embodiments of the presentdisclosure do not require that the user device 104 and the output device120 be on the same sub-network or network. Indeed, in various exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein, the user device 104 and the output device120, operated in connection with the user device 104, are on differentnetworks. The output device 120 options offered by the DIAL server andimplemented by the session and network manager 128 may be limited to theoutput device or devices 120 in the immediate vicinity of the userdevice 104 associated with the content provider app 106 that initiatedthe DIAL query. Moreover, information regarding appropriate outputdevices 120 to be offered to the user device 104 may be obtained as partof the pairing process. For example, in a hotel environment, a userdevice 104 associated with a guest may be provided with a list of outputdevices 120 comprising televisions located in that guest's room. Asother examples, specific output devices 120 may be associated withspecific groups of rooms, including guest or conference rooms, areas, oraccess credentials. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a customized set of output devices 120 that can be madeavailable to a particular user device 104, enabling use of DIAL andother discovery protocols in a multiple user, multiple output device 120environments.

The user can then select the option to display content on the outputdevice 120, which causes a request for display to be sent to the sessionand network manager 128 (step 228). The session and network manager 128creates a virtual player session or player instance 132 thatcommunicates with the user device 104 IP address (step 232). The playerinstance 132 acknowledges the request for display and communicates withthe user device 104 (step 236). Such communications can include theplayer instance 132 providing status information to the app 106 on theuser device 104 and the app 106 providing selection and controlinstructions to the player instance 132 for delivery to the contentprovider 124. In addition, credentials necessary to access contentavailable from the content provider 124 may be provided from the app 106for delivery to the content provider 124.

The user, by providing input to the content provider app 106 running onthe user device 104, then chooses content to play, and that request issent to the player instance 132 (step 240). The player instance 132 thenrequests the content from the appropriate content provider 124 (step242). The requested content is streamed from the content provider 124 tothe player instance 132 over the relatively high bandwidth secondnetwork 116 (step 244). The player instance 132 then processes thecontent and sends that content to the on-site distribution network 118for routing to and outputting by the selected output device 120 (step248). In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, theplayer instance 132 can, prior to broadcasting the content to theon-site distribution network 118, provide that content to a DRM bridgeand/or encoder instance 136. Accordingly, the content requested at theuser device 104 is delivered from the content provider 124 to the outputdevice 120 without passing through the user device 104. Moreover, thecontent is delivered without passing through the first network 108.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate theselection and delivery of content in connection with a user device 104running a content provider app 106 that includes or can providecredentials to the content provider 124 and that can also be used toselect content. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosureenable a user to obtain selected content from a content provider 124,including, but not limited to, a content provider 124 located in thecloud (i.e., accessible through the Internet 114), using their own userdevice 104. The display of selected content is facilitated by providinga DIAL server response from the communication server 112 that constrainsthe set of available output devices 120 to those relevant to the user.Moreover, access by a user device 104 to an output device 120 can becontrolled by the communication server 112 based on various rules andconditions, such as authorization, payment, location, or the like. Inaddition, by providing a virtual player instance 132 associated with acommunication server 112 that is capable of communicating with a contentprovider 124 over a high-bandwidth network 116, bandwidth constraintsand/or costs that might be incurred if such content were deliveredthrough the user device 104 itself can be avoided.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate system in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure for selecting and delivering content 100, and inparticular a system 100 b that enables the user device 104 to beselectively connected to an output device 120 through a device adapter160, such as a set-top box (STB) 161 or an over-the-top (OTT) device162. Accordingly, this system 100 b differs from the system 100 aillustrated in FIG. 1 in that this system 100 b operates in associationwith a device adapter 160 in the form of a set-top box 161 or an OTTdevice 162 that performs local player 134 and discovery service 130functions, and that is paired or connected to an output device 120.These discovery service 130 functions can include, but are not limitedto, DIAL server or multicast Domain Name System (mDNS) functions.Accordingly, the discovery service 130 can include a zero configurationservice. Moreover, the discovery service 130 can be provided by or aspart of a device adaptor 160 operating system or firmware, or as part ofnetwork or connectivity software installed on the device adaptor 160,such as AVAHI or BONJOUR. Therefore, the communication server 112 neednot include a virtual player session 132. In such embodiments,connections are established between user devices 104 and device adaptors160. Accordingly, the session and network manager 128 can create andmanage lists of device adaptors 160, control the visibility of deviceadaptors 160, and control active connections between user devices 104and device adaptors 160, in addition to creating and managing lists ofuser devices 104 that are paired or otherwise registered with the system100.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a set-top box161 and an OTT device 162 may operate similarly in that they both canreceive content from a network connection and can provide that contentto an output device 120. Although an OTT device 162 may conventionallysupport a direct connection to a user device 104, embodiments of thepresent disclosure control the ability of an OTT device 162 to bediscovered by and connected to a user device 104. Specifically, thecommunication server 112 controls when and how discovery of a deviceadapter 160 occurs. As shown in the figure, the device adaptor 160 mayinclude connections to the first network 108 and to the on-site contentdistribution network 118. Moreover, the connection to the first network108 can be direct or through the communication server 112. In addition,in this example, the first section 144 of the on-site contentdistribution network 118 may comprise a device adapter 160 compliant DRMcontent channel, such as an IP or coaxial cable distribution network,and the second section 152 may be in the form of an HDMI or other directconnection between the device adapter 160 and an associated outputdevice 120, such as but not limited to a television.

FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of the operation of the system for selectingand delivering content 100 b. More particularly, steps for advertising aselected output device 120 and device adaptor 160 pair to a user device104 are described. Initially, at step 204, a user device 104 joins thefirst network 108, the user pairs the user device 104 to an outputdevice 120 (step 208), and the user device IP address is passed to thesession and network manager 128 running on the communication server 112(step 212). Accordingly, these steps can be the same as or similar tothose taken with respect to the first exemplary embodiment. Moreparticularly, where the user device 104 pairs to a specific outputdevice 120, information regarding the output devices 120 and associateddevice adaptors in that room can be used to determine the set of outputdevices 120 that will be visible to the user device 104. For example,the allowed set of output devices 120 may be all of the output devicesin the room of the user associated with the user device 104. As anotherexample, pairing to a single output device 120 may result in the sessionand network manager making only that single output device 120, or thedevice adaptor associated with that output device 120, visible to theuser device 104. In accordance with still other embodiments, pairing canbe accomplished separately from an output device 120. For example,registration at a hotel or other facility, establishing connectivitywith a network through a guest Internet access process, or providingcredentials from the user device 104 to the communication server 112directly, or other processes can be used. In such embodiments, the setof output devices 120 that are visible to a user device 104 can bedetermined through property records regarding output devices 120 in aregistered guest's room, or other information.

At step 217, the session and network manager 128 tells the localdiscovery service 130 implemented by the device adaptor 160 to startbroadcasting a discovery service 130 response to the user device 104 IPaddress, which is performed at step 218. Thus, in accordance with atleast some embodiments, the discovery service 130 response is sent onlyto the user device 104 that was paired to the system 100 b as part ofthe pairing process. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the artafter consideration of the present disclosure, this may be differentthan a typical implementation of a discovery scenario in which a targetdevice multicasts a message that includes its IP address information. Inaddition, the user device 160 is only provided with a discovery service130 response from those device adaptors 130 to which the user device 104is authorized to connect. Accordingly, in a typical scenario, thecommunication server 112 makes at least one device adaptor 160 visibleto the user device. Moreover, the communication server 112 does notallow all of the device adaptors 160 in the system 100 to be visible tothe user device.

The user of the user device 104 then launches a content providerapplication or app 106 on the user device 104 and the content providerapp 106 broadcasts a discovery service query (step 220). The contentprovider app 106 sees the broadcasting discovery service 130 responseand shows an option to display content on an output device 120, such asan in room-television (step 224). In accordance with embodiments of thepresent disclosure, this option is presented only to the user device 104from which the discovery service query was sent.

The user can then select the option to display content on the outputdevice 120 and a request for display is sent to the local playerinstance 134 (step 229). At step 233, the local player instance 134acknowledges the request for display and communicates with the userdevice 104.

Next, the local player instance 134 is assigned a DRM bridge instance136 (step 237). At step 240, the user operates the user device 104 andthe content provider app 106 to choose content to play and sends thatrequest to the local player instance 134. The local player instance 134passes the content request to the assigned DRM bridge instance 136 (step241). The DRM bridge instance 136 in turn requests content from thecontent provider 124 (step 245). The requested content is then streamedfrom the content provider 124 to the DRM bridge instance 136 over thehigh-bandwidth network 116 (step 249), and the DRM bridge instance 136sends the requested content to the local player instance 134 for displayon the attached output device 120 (step 253).

In accordance with still other embodiments, the user device 104 can sendcontent to the local player instance 134 on the device adaptor 160without involving a DRM bridge instance 136. For example, locally storedcontent can be “cast” from the user device 104 to the device adaptor 160and the associated output device 120, without requiring any furtherprocessing or involvement of the communication server 112.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure can allow a user toselect and order content from a content provider 124 with whom the userhas a subscription or other arrangement using their own user device 104.Embodiments of the present disclosure also enable the selected contentto be delivered to a set-top box 161 associated with and that is localto (e.g., in the same room as) a television or other output device 120over a relatively high-bandwidth network 116. Moreover, the content doesnot need to pass over the relatively low bandwidth first network 108 orthrough the user device 104.

In FIG. 5 , illustrates another exemplary embodiment in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure of a system for selecting anddelivering content 100, and in particular a system 100 c with acloud-based communication server 112 that can selectively control thediscovery of and communication to an output device 120 by a user device104, where the output device 120 is accessed through a device adapter160, such as a set-top box 161 or an over-the-top device 162. Like thepreviously described system 100 b, this system 100 c includes a deviceadaptor 160. However, the communication server 112 is implemented in thecloud rather than on-site. Accordingly, the on-site content distributionnetwork 118 of the exemplary system 100 c includes a first networksection 144 comprising an Internet connection that connects the deviceadaptor 160 to the communication server 112 located in the cloud via theInternet 114. As examples, the first network section 144 can thereforeinclude a combination of network and/or communication channel types,such as a coaxial cable distribution network, a satellite distributionnetwork, and/or an IP distribution network.

FIG. 6 illustrates aspects of the operation of a system for selectingand delivering content 100 c according to this further exemplaryembodiment. As with other embodiments, the process can start with theuser device 104 joining the first network 108 (step 204), pairing theuser device 104 to the output device 120 (step 208), and passing theuser device 104 IP address to the session and network manager 128 (step212). In addition, the subsequent steps (i.e., steps 217-253) can besimilar to or the same as those described in connection with the secondexemplary embodiment of a system for selecting and delivering content100 b. Accordingly, at step 217, the session and network manager 128tells the discovery service 130 running on the local device adaptor 160to broadcast a discovery service response to the user device 104 IPaddress. The local discovery service 130 starts broadcasting thediscovery service response to the user device 104 IP address (step 218).At step 220, the user launches a content app 106 on the user device 104,and that app 106 broadcasts a discovery service query (step 220). Thecontent provider app 106 sees the broadcasting discovery service 130response and presents an option to the user to display content on anoutput device 120, such as an in-room television (step 224). Inaccordance with further embodiments of the present disclosure, wheremultiple output devices 120 are available to a user, the option todisplay content can include the option to select from a number of outputdevices 120. For example, the session and network manager 128 cancontrol the discovery services 130 of all of the device adaptors 160associated with all of the output devices 120 in the hotel room of theuser of the user device 104 to direct a response to the user device 104so that all of the output devices 120 are available for selection.Whether one or more than one output device 120 is available forselection, the option to display content on an output device 120 inresponse to a discovery service query sent from a particular user device104 is only provided to that particular user device 104.

At step 229, the user selects the option to display content on an outputdevice 120 and the request for display is sent to the local playerinstance 134 implemented by or running on the device adaptor 160. Thelocal player instance 134 acknowledges the request for display andcommunicates with the user device 104 (step 233). The player instance134 is assigned a DRM bridge instance 136 on the communication server112 (step 237).

The user then chooses content to play by entering an appropriate inputat the user device 104 through the content provider app 106, which sendsthe request to the local player 134 (step 240). The local playerinstance 134 passes the content request to the assigned DRM bridge 136(step 241). The DRM bridge 136 then requests content from the contentprovider 124 (step 245). Content is then streamed from the contentprovider 124 over the Internet 114 to the DRM bridge 136 (step 249). TheDRM bridge then sends transcribed or transformed content to the localplayer 134 over the Internet 114 for delivery to the selected outputdevice 120 (step 253). More particularly, the transcribed content can bepassed from the DRM bridge 136 over the high-bandwidth second network116, across the Internet 114, and to the set-top box 161 via the firstsection 144 of the on-site content distribution network 118. The localplayer 134 then delivers the content to the output device 120 via thesecond section 152 of the on-site content distribution network 118. Ascan be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of thepresent disclosure, communications with the communication server 112between a user device 104, as well as between the communication server112 and a content provider 124, are at least partially transmitted overthe Internet 114.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another exemplary embodiment in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure of a system for selecting anddelivering content 100, and in particular a system 100 d in which acommunication server 112 controls the delivery of and connection with anoutput device associated with an access device 160, such as a set-topbox 161 or an OTT device 162. This embodiment is similar to the system100 c described in connection with FIG. 5 in that it features acommunication server 112 located in the cloud and a device adaptor 160connected directly to an output device 120 provided as part of anon-site content distribution network 118. The system 100 d of FIG. 7differs from the system 100 c of FIG. 5 in that it includes a singleuser device 104. Accordingly, the system for selecting and deliveringcontent 100 d is an example of an embodiment implemented in a homeenvironment. In the exemplary system 100 d, the user device 104 isconnected to a first network 108 that includes at least an access point109, which is in turn connected to the Internet 114. More particularly,the first network 108 may, for example, include a Wi-Fi network that isconnected to the Internet 114. For instance, the first network 108 caninclude a modem that connects a wireless and/or wireline access point109 to an Internet Service Provider via a cable network, digitalsubscriber line, Wi-Max, cellular, or other connection. Moreover, thedevice adaptor 160 may or may not be associated with the same firstnetwork 108 and or sub-network as the user device 104. For instance, thedevice adaptor 160 may be connected to the Internet 114 by a cable,satellite, Wi-Max, or other network. The remainder of the system 100 dmay be the same as or similar to the system 100 c shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 illustrates aspects of the operation of the system 100 d shown inFIG. 7 . Initially, at step 204, the user device 104 joins the firstnetwork 108. This can include entering or selecting a service setidentifier (SSID) and/or a password. The user then launches a contentapp 106 on the user device 104 and that app broadcasts a discoveryservice query (step 220). The content provider app 106 sees thebroadcasting discovery service 130 response and presents an option tothe user to display content on an output device 120, such as atelevision in the user's home (step 224). In accordance with furtherembodiments of the present disclosure, where multiple output devices 120are available to a user, the option to display content can include theoption to select from a number of output devices 120.

At step 229, the user selects the option to display content on an outputdevice 120 and the request for display is sent to the local playerinstance 134 implemented by or running on the set-top box 161. The localplayer instance 134 acknowledges the request for display andcommunicates with the user device 104 (step 233). The player instance134 is assigned a DRM bridge instance 136 on the communication server112 (step 237).

The user then chooses content to play by entering appropriate input atthe user device 104, through the content provider app 106, which sendsthe request to the local player 134 (step 240). The local playerinstance 134 passes the content request to the assigned DRM bridge 136(step 241). The DRM bridge 136 then requests content from the contentprovider 124 (step 245). Content is then streamed from the contentprovider 124 over the Internet 114 to the DRM bridge 136 (step 249). TheDRM bridge then sends transcribed or transformed content to the localplayer 134 over the Internet 114 for delivery to the selected outputdevice 120 (step 253). More particularly, the transcribed content can bepassed from the DRM bridge 136 over the high-bandwidth second network116, across the Internet 114, and to the set-top box 161 via the firstsection 144 of the on-site content distribution network 118. The localplayer 134 then delivers the content to the output device 120 via thesecond section 152 of the on-site distribution network 118. However, ascan be appreciated by one of skill in the art after consideration of thepresent disclosure, communications with the communication server 112between a user device 104, as well as between the communication server112 and a content provider 124, are at least partially transmitted overthe Internet 114.

Therefore, embodiments of the present invention enable a user to controlthe delivery of content over high-bandwidth channels using a user device104. In addition, the provision of a cloud-based communication server112 facilitates the administration of DRM and encoder technologies.

Although various components of the exemplary systems 100 disclosedherein have been illustrated in multiples of particular numbers, itshould be appreciated that any number of such components may beprovided. For instance, while three user devices 104 a, 104 b, and 104 nare shown in various figures, any number of such user devices 104 can beassociated with a system. Moreover, various components can be assignedon an ad hoc or an as available basis. For example, a request to pairinitiated by any user device 104 a-n may be serviced by any one virtualplayer session 132 a-n, content can be requested and obtained from anyotherwise available content provider 124 a-n, any DRM bridge/encoder 136a-n may perform transcription functions, and any QAM modulator 148 a-nmay generate a QAM signal that is sent to any selected and connectedoutput device 120 a-n.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating components of a communicationserver 112 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Ingeneral, a communication server includes a processor 904 and memory 908.The processor 904 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructions. Asa further example, the processor 904 may comprise a specially configuredapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The processor 904generally functions to run programming code or instructions, such asapplications or programs, implementing various functions of thecommunication server 112. The memory 908 is generally used in connectionwith the execution of application programming by the processor 904 andfor the temporary or long-term storage of program instructions and/ordata. As examples, the memory 908 may comprise removable secure digitalstorage, RAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory.

A communication server 112 can also include data storage 912. Inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention, data storage 912can contain program code or instructions implementing variousapplications or functions executed by the communication server 112. Likethe memory 908, the data storage 912 can comprise a solid state memorydevice. In addition, in certain applications, the data storage 912 canbe integrated with and/or indistinguishable from the memory 908.Alternatively or in addition, the data storage 912 may comprise a harddisk drive or other random access memory and/or can be interconnected tothe communication server 112, for example as network attached storage.Programming or modules stored in the data storage 912 and executed bythe processor 904 can include, as examples and without limitation, auser device server application 126, a session and network manager 128,virtual player session 132, and/or DRM bridge/encoder instances 136.

The communication server 112 also includes one or more communicationinterfaces 924. For example, a first communication interface 924 a canprovide a connection to the first network 108, a second communicationinterface 924 b can provide a connection to the second network 116, anda third communication interface 924 c can provide a connection to thefirst network section 144 of an on-site content distribution network118. Data 928 stored in the data storage can include informationidentifying user devices 104 of registered guests or users, outputdevice 120 information, device adaptor 160 information, and informationregarding established connections between user devices 104 and deviceadaptors 160 and/or output devices 120.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating components of a device adaptor160 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Like thecommunication server 112, the device adaptor 160 can include a processor904, memory 908, and/or data storage 912. Program code or instructionsthat can be stored in data storage 912 and executed by the processor 904in connection with the memory 908, which can include, but is not limitedto, a discovery service 130 function and a local player session 134. Inaddition, a device adaptor 160 can include one or more communicationinterfaces, such as a fourth communication interface 924 d connectingthe device adaptor 160 to the first network 108, a fifth communicationinterface 924 e connecting the device adaptor 160 to the first networksection 144 of the on-site content distribution network 118, and a sixthinterface 924 f connecting the device adaptor 160 to an output device120.

FIG. 11 depicts a scenario in which a user device 104 can be presentedwith a set of available output devices 120. More particularly, each ofthe output devices 120 may be associated with a device adaptor 160, suchas a set-top box 161 or over-the-top device 162, such as in a system 100b, 100 c, or 100 d, by the communication server 112. The output devices120 included in the set presented to the user device 104 can includethose output devices 120 located in the room associated with the userdevice 104. A device adaptor 160 can be co-located with the outputdevice 120 and with the user device 104. Alternatively, the deviceadaptors 160 and/or an associated output device 120 may be locatedremotely from the user device 104. The communication server 112 canconnect any of the user devices 104 to any of the device adaptors 160.In the illustrated scenario, the communication server 112 allows theuser device 4 104 d to see a device adaptor 160, and in particular OTTdevice 2 162 b, which is associated with output device 2 120 b, butmaintains isolation between the user device 104 d and the other OTTdevices 162. Moreover, the isolation maintained by the proxy function ofthe communication server 112 prevents the user device 104 d from sensingor detecting the other OTT devices 162. In accordance with at least someembodiments, multiple communication servers 112 performing a proxyfunction can be provided. For example, multiple servers 112 can be usedfor load balancing purposes. Moreover, different servers 112 can beprovided for supporting user devices 104 and device adaptors 160 indifferent areas of a property. Accordingly, user device 4 104 d canoperatively connect to the output device 120 b, for example to displaycontent on the output device 120 b using the device adapter 160 (here anOTT device 162), but cannot make use of the other output devices 120.

FIG. 12 depicts a scenario in which the user device (for instance asmart phone) 104 is allowed to see an OTT device 162 connected to anoutput device (for example a TV) 120 in the same room as the user device104. In this scenario, the user device 104 is connected to the outputdevice 120 via the communication server 112 and the OTT device 162, forexample as can be enabled by illustrated systems 100 b, 100 c, or 100 d.As can be appreciated by one of skill in the art, device isolationrequirements that are imposed in shared networks typically prevent auser device 104 from seeing other Wi-Fi devices, including a co-locatedOTT device 160, on such networks. However, embodiments of the presentdisclosure provide a communication server 112 that operates to identifythe room that the user device 104 is associated with, and furtheroperates to present the user device 104 with the option of connecting tothe output device 120 through the OTT device 160 in the identified room.Moreover, the user device 104 is prevented from seeing OTT devices 160and thus is prevented from connecting to output devices 120 that are notassociated with the user's room or that the user is not otherwiseauthorized to access.

FIG. 13 depicts a scenario in which a connection between a user device104 and an output device 120 is enabled using a device adaptor 160, suchas an OTT device 162 included in an array of OTT devices 162 located ina remote data center. The connection between the user device 104 and theOTT device 162 is made through the communication server 112. Inaddition, the connection between the OTT device 162 and the outputdevice 120 is made through the communication server 112. In thisexample, the association between the OTT device 162 and the outputdevice 120 need not be fixed and can instead be determined dynamically.For example, the OTT device 162 that is assigned to the output device120 by the communication server 112 can be selected from a number ofavailable OTT devices 162 in the array by the communication server 112,or the assigned OTT device 162 may simply be the OTT device 162 that hasbeen made available by the data center.

In various of the scenarios discussed herein, including thoseillustrated in FIGS. 11-13 , the set of output devices 120 to which theuser device 104 can connect through a device adaptor 160 is controlledby the communication server 112. Accordingly, the security concerns thatgive rise to the device isolation requirements of public Wi-Fi networkscan be addressed while providing discovery of and connectivity between auser device 104 and select Wi-Fi devices 160. Moreover, in any of thescenarios multiple communication and/or proxy servers 112 can beutilized. Where multiple servers 112 are used, different servers cansupport different user device 104 and OTT device 160 pairings based onload, location, type of service, or other criteria.

FIG. 14 depicts components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure.The system generally includes a communication server system 112. Thecommunication server system 112 can include or is connected to an OTTdevice 162 (e.g. a Chromecast) network 1404, a guest IP network 1408,and the Internet 114. In this example, the communication server system112 includes a session and network manager 128 server 113, a headendserver 127, and a network router 140. Moreover, the communication serversystem 112 can be local to the output device 120. The communicationserver system 112 is also interconnected to a premises or local network110. In this example, the local network 110 can support communicationsbetween a user device 104, the Internet 114, and the communicationserver system 112. As can be appreciated by one of skill in the artafter consideration of the present disclosure, other topologies are alsopossible for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

The user device 104 is connected to a wireless access point 109, forexample via a WiFi connection 1412 made available through a service setidentifier (SSID). In accordance with at least some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, the SSID is revealed to the user device 104 onlyafter a pairing or other registration operation between thecommunication server system 112 or other authority and user device 104has been completed. The server 113 can also allow the user device 104 tosee an OTT device 162 (described below) only after the registrationprocess has been completed. In addition, the server 113 can provide apersonalized display to the user, for example through the user device104, that includes information such as a list of casting services orapps that were used previously. The wireless access point 109 can beconnected to the local network 110 through a wired (e.g. an Ethernet)connection.

In this example system, the local network 110 is connected to aconnectivity or OTT device 162. More particularly, in this instance theOTT device 162 is a Chromecast device that is connected to the localnetwork 110 by a Chromecast Ethernet and power adapter 137. Accordingly,in this example, the OTT device 162 network 1404 is an ethernet network.The OTT device 162 is in turn connected to the output device 120 (e.g.the guest room TV) by an HDMI connection. In an alternate configuration,the OTT device 162 can be connected to the output device 120 via an STB.

In operation, the user device 104 connects to the access point 109 usingthe SSID for the WiFi connection, and then pairs or registers with theserver 113. Alternatively, the user device 104 can establish aconnection with the communication server 112 via a cellular dataconnection. This registration process can be performed using a pairingapp running on the user device 104. The user can then open a contentprovider app 106 on the user device 104. More particularly, the contentprovider app 106 can be one that supports casting content to an outputdevice 120 associated with a device adaptor 160 that is external to theuser device 104. In response to detecting the opening of the contentprovider app 106 with a content casting capability, the server 113 canprovide an option to the user to connect to an output device 120 in theuser's vicinity (e.g. in the same room as the access point 109) througha device adaptor 160 associated with the output device 120. This optioncan be presented in association with an identifier that is displayed onthe output device 120, for example in the form of the user's roomnumber, to provide assurance that the content will be provided to thecorrect output device 120.

In FIG. 15 the components of a system for selecting and deliveringcontent in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosurethat uses a wireless connection to an OTT device 162 are depicted.Accordingly, this configuration differs from the one depicted in FIG. 14in that the OTT device 162 receives content over a wireless (e.g. aWiFi) connection 1504, rather than a wired connection. In addition, inthis example the OTT device 162 receives power from the output device120 directly, rather than through a separate adapter. The wirelessconnection to the OTT device 162 can employ a hidden SSID provided bythe access point 109. A separate WiFi connection 1512, for example usinga different SSID, is used by the user device 104 to connect to theaccess point 109.

FIG. 16 illustrates a system that is similar to the one depicted in FIG.15 , except that the OTT device 162 uses the same wireless (e.g. WiFi)connection 1604 to the access point 109 as does the user device 104.

The embodiment of a system for selecting and delivering content depictedin FIG. 17 is similar to the system of FIG. 14 , except that the userdevice 104 is connected to the access point 109 by a guest Wi-Ficonnection 1412, and except that the OTT device 162 is connected to theoutput device 120 through a separate STB 161. More particularly, the STB161 receives content over a wired connection 1704 to the local network110. This content can be content that is ordered through the user device104 after a connection between the user device and the local network 110is established, and after the user device 104 has completed aregistration process with the proxy server 113. The content is thendelivered from the STB 161 to the OTT device 162 over a private wireless(e.g. WiFi) connection 1708. In addition, a wired power connection 1712can be provided between the OTT device 162 and the set-top box 161. TheOTT device 162 then outputs the content over an HDMI connection that ispassed through the STB 161 to the output device 120. The STB 161 canalso supply power to the OTT device 162.

A system for selecting and delivering content in accordance with stillanother embodiment of the present disclosure is depicted in FIG. 18 . Inthis embodiment, the wireless access point function is performed by theSTB 161, which can be connected to the local network by a shared networkconnection 1802. Access by the user device 104 can be controlled byproviding the wireless connection 1804 to the user device 104 through anSSID. The OTT device 162 can be connected to the set-top box 161 througha different Wi-Fi channel with a different SSID 1808, in addition to awired power connection 1712. In particular, the STB 161 can function toprovide a personal area network (PAN) that includes the OTT device 162,and the user device 104. In addition, the ability to directly content tothe output device 120 can be enabled only after the user device 104 hascompleted a pairing or registration operation, for example with theheadend server 127 or the STB 161. This ability to connect can becontrolled by only providing the network name and/or passwordinformation needed to connect to the wireless access point (here theset-top box 161) after a registration or authorization process has beensuccessfully completed. Accordingly, the possibility of sending contentto an output device 120 located in another user's or guest's room can beeliminated.

In various systems, including those illustrated in FIGS. 14-18 ,multiple communication servers 112 and/or proxy servers 113 can beprovided. For example, different proxy servers 113 can be used inconnection with the different user device 104 and OTT device 160pairings for purposes of load balancing, supporting different areas orlocations within a property, for providing different services, forsupporting connections to different external content providers 124, orthe like.

In accordance with still other embodiments, the user device 104 canconnect to a communication server 112 or server 113 providing a sessionand network manager 128, and in turn to an OTT device 160, using an app107 running on the user device 104. Moreover, the app can bepersonalized to the user 104 and/or the property with which the systemis associated. For example, the app can present options to select andlaunch content provider apps (e.g., Netflix, Hulu or other apps) 106that the user of the mobile device 104 subscribes to, commonly uses, oris otherwise associated with. Alternatively or in addition, the app 107can present selected, e.g., sponsored, content provider apps toencourage selection of those apps by the user. The information that ispresented can be controlled by operation of the p session and networkmanager 128, for example after a user device 104 has completed aregistration or pairing process. In accordance with still otherembodiments, the session and network manager 128 can control the contentprovider apps 106 that a user device 104 can use in connection with anOTT device 160 accessed through or in association with the session andnetwork manager 128.

In FIGS. 19A and 19B, embodiments of systems for selecting anddelivering content using a device adaptor 160, such as an OTT device162, operating in guest mode are depicted. In guest mode, the OTT device162 can display a PIN on the output device 120. By opening an app 107 onthe user device 104 that has detected the OTT device 162, which can beindicated to the user by a message such as “nearby Chromecast devicedetected”, the user can enter the PIN and send (cast) content to the OTTdevice 162. Using guest mode, the OTT device 162 can be connected to anaccess point 109 through the guest WiFi, an SSID reserved for the OTTdevice 162, or through a wired connection to the local network 110. Inaddition, the user device 104 can be connected to the access point 109,or can be connected to the local network 110 by a carrier dataconnection to, for example, a headend server 127.

In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention,methods for connecting a user device 104, such as a smart phone ortablet device, to an output device 120, such as a television, on amultiple user wireless network, can include pairing or registering theuser device 104 with a communication server 112 providing a session andnetwork manager 128. Through pairing the user device 104 with an outputdevice 120 in a particular room, the communication server 112 isinformed of the room that the user device 104 is associated with. Thecommunication server 112 can then allow the user device 104 tocommunicate with a device adaptor 160 that is associated with the outputdevice 120 in the user's room while keeping device isolation in place sothat no other user devices 104 can communicate with that device adaptor160. Likewise, the user device 104 that has been placed in communicationwith the device adaptor 160 is prevented from communicating with anyother device adaptor 160.

The communication server 112 can operate to enable discovery of and/orcommunication with a constrained set of OTT devices 162 to therebyenforce device isolation requirements. For example, the communicationserver 112 can operate to present a user device 104 that has paired withan output device 120 in a communication system 100, or that hasotherwise registered with the communication server 112, with an optionto connect to an output device 120 in the user's room through a deviceadaptor 160 connected to that output device 120. Accordingly, the set ofdevice adaptors 160 presented to the user device 104 as being availablecan be limited to a single device adaptor 160. In accordance with otherembodiments, for example where there is more than one type of deviceadaptor 160 available, or where there are different device adaptor 160associated with different output devices 120 to which the user device104 is given access, the set of available device adaptors 160 presentedto the user can contain more than one device adaptor 160.

The association between an output device and a device adaptor 160 can bestatic or can be established dynamically. For instance, a staticassociation is present where the output device 120 and the deviceadaptor 160 are both located in the user's room. A dynamic associationis present where a device adaptor 160 is selected by the communicationserver from an array of device adaptors 160 and, as a result of thatselection, is operatively connected to the output device 120 in theuser's room.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the differentscenarios and network topologies illustrated herein can be implementedto operatively connect a user device 104 to a constrained set of outputdevices via a device adaptor 160. Moreover, process steps foradvertising and discovery of device adaptor 160 and output device 120pairs can be those described elsewhere herein, for example in connectionwith FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 . In addition, various devices described hereincan be integrated with other devices. For example, a device adaptor 160function can be integrated into an output device 120 comprising asmartTV.

The contents of this disclosure may have the following configurations:

(1)

A system for selecting and delivering content, comprising:

a communication server;

a user device;

an access point;

a first network, wherein the access point and the communication serverare connected to the first network, and wherein the user device isconnected to the first network through the access point;

a plurality of device adaptors;

a second network, wherein the device adaptors are connected to thecommunication server through the second network, and wherein thecommunication server is operable to make at least one and less than allof the device adaptors visible to the user device;

a plurality of output devices, wherein each device adaptor in theplurality of device adaptors is connected to at least one output device.

(2)

The system of (1), wherein the user device is operably connected to theat least one of the device adaptors by the communication server.

(3)

The system of (1) and (2), wherein the access point is a WiFi accesspoint.

(4)

The system of any of (1) to (3), wherein the user device is connected tothe access point using a first SSID.

(5)

The system of any of (1) to (4), wherein at least one of the deviceadaptors is connected to the access point using a second SSID.

(6)

The system of any of (1) to (5), wherein the at least one of the deviceadaptors is connected to the second network by a wireline connection.

(7)

The system of any of (1) to (6), wherein the user device is one of asmart phone, a tablet computer, and a laptop computer.

(8)

The system of any of (1) to (7), wherein the at least one of the deviceadaptors is a set top box.

(9)

The system of any of (1) to (8), wherein the at least one of the deviceadaptors is an over the top device.

(10)

The system of any of (1) to (9), wherein the device adaptors includeover the top devices operating in conjunction with set top boxes.

(11)

The system of any of (1) to (10), wherein the output devices includetelevisions.

(12)

The system of any of (1) to (11), further comprising:

a plurality of user devices, wherein the communication server makes afirst set of device adaptors visible to a first user device in theplurality of user devices, and wherein the communication server makes asecond set of device adaptors visible to a second user device in theplurality of user devices.

(13)

The system of any of (1) to (12), wherein none of the device adaptors inthe first set of device adaptors is included in the second set of deviceadaptors.

(14)

The system of any of (1) to (13), wherein the user device is operablyconnected to a device adaptor that is visible to the user device,wherein content is provided to the device adaptor that is operablyconnected to the user device, and wherein the content provided to thedevice adaptor is output by an output device operably connected to thedevice adaptor.

(15)

The system of any of (1) to (14), wherein the user device includes acontent provider app, wherein content ordered through the contentprovider app is provided to the device adaptor that is visible to theuser device.

(16)

A method, comprising:

providing a communication server;

providing a first access point, wherein the first access point isconnected to the communication server by a first network;

providing a plurality of device adaptors, wherein the plurality ofdevice adaptors include a first device adaptor, wherein the first deviceadaptor is operatively connected to the first access point through asecond network;

providing a plurality of output devices, wherein each device adaptor isoperatively connected to at least one output device included in theplurality of output devices; receiving a request to pair a user deviceto an output device included in the plurality of output devices;in response to the request, the communication server causing a responseto be sent to the user device indicating the availability of at least afirst output device included in the plurality of output devices;receiving a request from the user device to output content using thefirst output device;sending an acknowledgment to the request from the user device to outputcontent from the first output device from the first device adaptor tothe user device.

(17)

The method of (16), wherein the response sent to the user deviceindicating the availability of at least a first output device isreceived by a content provider app running on the user device.

(18)

The method of (16) or (17), wherein content is delivered to the firstdevice adaptor from a content provider.

(19)

The method of any of (16) to (18), wherein the user device is incommunication with the communication server and the first device adaptorusing a first SSID, and wherein the first device adaptor is incommunication with the communication server and the user device using asecond SSID.

(20)

A system for selectively connecting user devices to output devices,comprising: a communication server;

a user device;

an access point, wherein the user device is connected to the accesspoint through a first wireless connection;

a first network, wherein the access point and the communication serverare connected to the first network, and wherein the user device isconnected to the first network through the access point;

a plurality of over the top devices, wherein the communication server isoperable to make a first over the top device included in the pluralityof over the top devices visible to the user device, and wherein thefirst over the top device is connected to the access point through asecond wireless connection; anda plurality of output devices, wherein each over the top device in theplurality of over the top devices is connected to at least one outputdevice.The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the aboveteachings, within the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are withinthe scope of the present invention. The embodiments describedhereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presentlyknown of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in theart to utilize the invention in such or in other embodiments and withvarious modifications required by the particular application or use ofthe invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed toinclude alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the priorart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for selecting and delivering content,the system comprising: a first network, the first network including: acommunication server; and a first access point; a second network, thesecond network including: a plurality of device adaptors; and aplurality of output devices, wherein each device adaptor in theplurality of device adaptors is connected to at least one output devicein the plurality of output devices; and at least first and second userdevices; wherein the first user device is registered with thecommunication server and associated with first information, wherein thesecond user device is registered with the communication server andassociated with second information, wherein, in response to the firstuser device connecting to the first access point, the communicationserver makes a first device adaptor in the plurality of device adaptorsvisible to the first user device, and wherein, in response to the firstdevice adaptor being made visible to the first user device, the firstuser device directs the first device adaptor to output content through afirst output device connected to the first device adaptor.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first device adaptor is not visible to thesecond user device.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first accesspoint is a WiFi access point.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein thefirst user device is connected to the first access point using a firstSSID.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first device adaptor isconnected to the first access point using a second SSID.
 6. The systemof claim 3, wherein the first device adaptor is connected to the firstnetwork by a section of an on-site content distribution network, andwherein the first device adaptor is connected to the first output deviceby a direct wireline connection.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein thefirst user device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer, and alaptop computer.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein the first deviceadaptor is a set top box.
 9. The system of claim 2, wherein at least oneof the device adaptors is an over the top device.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the device adaptors include over the top devicesoperating in conjunction with set top boxes.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the first information associated with the first user deviceincludes an identifier of a particular room in a hospitalityestablishment, and wherein the first user device is paired with thefirst output device in the particular room of the hospitalityestablishment.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the communicationserver makes a first set of device adaptors visible to the first userdevice, and wherein the communication server makes a second set ofdevice adaptors visible to the second user device.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein none of the device adaptors in the first set of deviceadaptors is included in the second set of device adaptors.
 14. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first user device is operably connectedto the first device adaptor, wherein content is provided to the firstdevice adaptor, and wherein the content provided to the first deviceadaptor is output by an output device operably connected to the firstdevice adaptor.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first userdevice includes a content provider app, wherein content ordered throughthe content provider app is provided to the first device adaptor.
 16. Amethod, comprising: registering a first user device with a communicationserver, wherein the first user device is associated with firstinformation; registering a second user device with the communicationserver, wherein the second user device is associated with secondinformation; connecting the first user device to a first access point;in response to the first user device connecting to the first accesspoint, the communication server making a first device adaptor in aplurality of device adaptors visible to the first user device; and inresponse to the first device adaptor being made visible to the firstuser device, the first user device directing the first device adaptor tooutput content through a first output device connected to the firstdevice adaptor.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first deviceadaptor is not visible to the second user device.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein content is delivered to the first device adaptor froma content provider.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the firstinformation associated with the first user device identifies a firstroom within a first hospitality establishment, and wherein the secondinformation associated with the second user device identifies a secondroom within the first hospitality establishment.
 20. The method of claim19, further comprising: connecting the second user device to one of thefirst access point or a second access point; and in response to thesecond user device connecting to the one of the first access point orthe second access point, the communication server making a second deviceadaptor in a plurality of device adaptors visible to the second userdevice; and in response to the second device adaptor being made visibleto the second user device, the second user device directing the seconddevice adaptor to output content through a second output deviceconnected to the second device adaptor.